(a) In this subtitle, “Program” means the Maryland Agricultural Land Link Program.
(b) There is a Maryland Agricultural Land Link Program in the Department, which is established for the purpose of:
(1) Assisting older or retiring farmers in the State in the lease or sale of their agricultural land to younger or beginning farmers;
(2) Keeping agricultural land in the State in active agricultural use; and
(3) Reducing the amount of agricultural land in the State that is lost each year to development.
(c) Under the Program, if sufficient funds are provided in the annual budget, the Department shall:
(1) Maintain an on–line database to serve as an electronic bulletin board for the voluntary posting of information on:
(i) Agricultural land available for lease;
(ii) Agricultural land available for sale;
(iii) Any other land available for agricultural use, lease, or sale; and
(iv) Internship, apprenticeship, employment, and business opportunities for farmers; and
(2) Promote the lease or sale of agricultural land from retiring farmers to beginning farmers.